- May 21 -

Anti Terrorism Day

Anti Terrorism Day

Martyrdom of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, also known as Anti Terrorism Day is observed across India on 21 May. The date so chosen is to commemorate the death anniversary of one of the most eminent Prime Ministers of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi (20 August 1944 – 21 May 1991). He had been victimized of this menace and to honor and respect his contributions, the day is celebrated on annual basis. This day is also observed to make people aware of the ongoing terrorist activities and the precautions to be taken by the commoners to prevent these acts of terrorism.

Promoting unity, peace and harmony across the nation has been one of the major motives behind celebrating this day. Every year, a two minutes silence is observed in whole India to mourn for the loss of Shri Rajiv Gandhi and many other innocent people who have been victimized by the terrorism.

Anti Terrorism or Anti Violence Pledge is taken in all the government offices and public sector undertakings which is as follows – “We, the people of India, having abiding faith in our country’s tradition of non-violence and tolerance, hereby solemnly affirm to oppose with our strength, all forms of terrorism and violence. We pledge to uphold and promote peace, social harmony, and understand among all fellow human beings and fight the forces of disruption threatening human lives and values.”

Several other activities take place on the Anti-Terrorism Day, including seminars promoting anti-terrorism, floral wreath is laid on the Rajiv Gandhi statue, anti integrity oath is taken and marches are carried out by the Congressmen all across the nation. The main aim of this Day is to reduce the terrorism to the maximum possible extent.

Rajiv GandhiRajiv Ratna Gandhi (20 August 1944 – 21 May 1991) was the sixth Prime Minister of India, serving from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the 1984 assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, his mother, to become the youngest Indian premier.He increased government support for science and technology and associated industries, and reduced import quotas, taxes and tariffs on technology-based industries, especially computers, airlines, defence and telecommunications. In 1986, he announced a National Policy on Education to modernise and expand higher education programs across India. He founded the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya System in 1986 which is a Central government based institution that concentrates on the upliftment of the rural section of the society providing them free residential education from 6th till 12 grade.He improved bilateral relations with the United States – long strained owing to Indira's socialism and friendship with the USSR — and expanded economic and scientific cooperation.Rajiv authorised an extensive police and army campaign to contain terrorism in Punjab. A state of martial law existed in the Punjab state, and civil liberties, commerce and tourism were greatly disrupted. There are many accusations of human rights violations by police officials as well as by the militants during this period. It is alleged that even as the situation in Punjab came under control, the Indian government was offering arms and training to the LTTE rebels fighting the government of Sri Lanka.

More holidays on this day:

The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Rapture Party Day - Judgment Day

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